On Wednesday President Trump calls for the end of the "Diversity Lottery Program" after the New York attack. Chuck Schumer played a big role in creating this program.
"The terrorist came into our country through what is called the 'Diversity Visa Lottery Program,' a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit based," Trump tweeted, referring to the Senate Democratic leader who is from New York.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/925684982307348480
In response Schumer accused Trump of politicizing the attack. Schumer took it a step further and accused the White House of cutting the budget of counter-terrorism.
Per USA Today:
“I have always believed and continue to believe that immigration is good for America,"
Schumer said. "President Trump, instead of politicizing and dividing America, which he always seems to do at times of national tragedy, should be focusing on the real solution — anti-terrorism funding — which he proposed cutting in his most recent budget."
Schumer was a member of the House of Representatives in 1990 when the diversity visa program was created, and conservative media outlets have highlighted his role in drafting the legislation at the time.
Trump, who called for "extreme vetting" after the truck attack that left at least eight people dead, said in a follow-up tweet: "We are fighting hard for Merit Based immigration, no more Democrat Lottery Systems. We must get MUCH tougher (and smarter)."
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/925686558304464897
Trump was referencing the morning news program Fox and Friends.
It has been suggested by media reports that Sayfullo Saipov came to the United States from Uzbekistan by way of the diversity visa program.
While on Morning Joe, Rep, Adam Schiff (D-CA) criticized Trump's response.
"There are legitimate reasons to look at how much should we take immigration, new immigrants on the base of diversity, how much on the basis of merit," the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said. But "I’ve never really heard this made as a security argument. To use this tragedy in that way to push an agenda is not what the president ought to be doing right now."
During his presidential campaign, President Trump made making immigration restrictions tougher and fighting "radical Islamic terrorism" huge themes of his. Democrats have accused Trump of using terrorism to instill fear and help enable him to crack down on immigration.
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